David Hockney Value: Top Prices Paid at Auction

Portrait Of An Artist (Pool With Two Figures) (1972) became Hockney's most expensive work at auction when it sold at Christie’s New York in 2018, also setting a record as the most expensive piece by any living artist at that time. The painting, which masterfully blends Hockney’s iconic themes of swimming pools and double portraits, fetched nearly $30 million more than the previous record-holder, Jeff Koons’s Balloon Dog (Orange). This renowned artwork was featured in Hockney's 2017 retrospective at Tate Britain and parodied in the Netflix series Bojack Horseman adding to its acclaim.

Between 1968 and 1975, Hockney produced a series of seven double portraits, including Henry Geldzahler and Christopher Scott, featuring the Metropolitan Museum of Art curator and his then-boyfriend. When this work went to auction at Christie’s London in 2019, it was one of only two double portraits remaining in private hands. Previously sold at Sotheby’s New York in 1992 for £569,000 (hammer), its value skyrocketed to £37.6 million. Hockney and Geldzahler had bonded over shared interests after meeting at Andy Warhol’s Factory in 1963.

Nichols Canyon (1980) captures the Hollywood Hills neighbourhood where Hockney lived in 1980, a landscape he drove through daily on his way to his studio on Santa Monica Boulevard. Hockney reflected on how living there influenced his art, saying, “The moment you live up here, you get a different view of Los Angeles. First of all, these wiggly lines seem to enter your life, and they entered the paintings.” This vibrant depiction of Los Angeles life sold for £30.7 million at Phillips in December 2020.

“Everyone knows a splash can’t be frozen in time, so when you see it like that in a painting, it’s even more striking than in a photograph,” Hockney remarked. This concept is powerfully illustrated in The Splash (1966), a companion piece to A Bigger Splash in the Tate Britain's collection. The painting made waves when it sold for over £23 million at Sotheby’s London in 2020. Previously sold for £2.9 million in 2006, this sale marked a substantial increase in value, highlighting the iconicity of Hockney's swimming pool pieces.

Hockney met artist Peter Schlesinger in 1966 while teaching at UCLA. Their friendship evolved into a romantic relationship, with Schlesinger becoming a frequent subject in Hockney’s work, including the iconic Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures). By 1971, their relationship had soured, and during a trip to Morocco, Hockney painted Sur La Terrasse (1971), reflecting their emotional distance. The painting, hidden in a private collection for nearly 50 years, was auctioned at Christie’s in November 2019, fetching £22.9 million.

Held in a private collection for nearly 50 years, A Lawn Being Sprinkled (1967) was presented at Christie’s May New York sales. While diverging from Hockney’s famous swimming pool scenes, the painting remains quintessentially Hockney with its two-dimensional, abstract geometric forms. The only nod to California is the subtle palm trees peeking over a wooden fence. Still vibrant with light and colour, the piece offers a fresh take on Hockney's interpretation of water and its natural movement. Despite the challenging 2024 art market, the work achieved an impressive £22.5 million at auction.

At the time, Pacific Coast Highway and Santa Monica (1990) became Hockney's most expensive work at auction, selling for over £21 million at Sotheby’s New York in May 2018. The large landscape was inspired by Hockney’s daily drive from his Hollywood Hills home to his Santa Monica Boulevard studio, a route he fondly called his “Wagner drive” due to his habit of listening to opera along the way. As Hockney noted in 1993, the painting offers a “multiple view of Santa Monica Bay and the mountains,” recognisable to anyone familiar with his scenic commute.

Hockney's stunning depiction of the French Riviera, Early Morning, Sainte-Maxime (1969), far exceeded expectations at Christie’s London in October 2022, selling for over £20 million–more than double its estimate. This marked the first time in 30 years that the painting had been offered at auction. As a rare masterpiece from Hockney's early period, it's unsurprising that this work achieved such a thrilling auction record, showcasing the enduring appeal of the British Pop artist's vibrant landscapes.

When the first instalment of the Paul G. Allen Collection was auctioned at Christie’s in late 2022, it featured four Hockney works, all surpassing their estimates. However, one oil painting outshone the rest, Winter Timber (2009) selling for £20.4 million and achieving a remarkable 155% over its high estimate–the largest percentage improvement among the four lots. This sale marked the painting’s auction debut, having been exclusively owned by Paul G. Allen. The landscape subject, similar to The Arrival of Spring series, remains one of his most sought-after themes, showcasing his ability to capture fleeting moments of nature.

Like other prominent blue chip artists, Hockney frequently features as a star lot in major marquee sales. However, 2024 has seen an influx of rare works by Hockney, many making their auction debut or, like California (1965), emerging from private collections after decades. This particular painting, depicting two sunbathers floating in a pool framed by pristine green grass, showcases Hockney's early exploration of water with kaleidoscopic squiggling lines. As an early pool painting, it represents a formative phase in his career and sold for £18.7 million at Christie’s May Marquee sale.